2023 Cruising the New England/Canadian Coast
Day 1: Saturday, September 16, Leaving New York City
It seemed like a very long day of flying and the almost hour-long bus ride from the airport to the cruise terminal. After boarding, then exploring the ship, we enjoyed drinks and dinner before settling into our stateroom.
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| The view from our stateroom balcony |
Day 2: Sunday, September 17, Newport, Rhode Island
We tendered ashore and made our way to the beautiful St. Mary's Church for Mass. The church was the first Catholic Parish in Rhode Island, established in April, 1828. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in March, 2008. In the back of the church was a large picture of Jackie and President (then Senator) John Kennedy, who were married in that church on September 12, 1953. An interesting story told by one of the spokesmen was that Jackie's wedding dress, which was made specifically for her by a woman in New York, was ruined in the Church basement several days before the wedding. In a panic, another dress was ordered to be made and brought to the church. A Black woman brought the dress up from New York … but in those days Blacks were not allowed inside the building; so she, and the dress, were denied entrance. But she got the last word by saying … if I have to leave, I'm taking the dress with me! Of course, then an exception was made to the rule!!
Of course, while along the New England coastline, one MUST eat lobster. So, we stopped for the most delicious lobster rolls … ordered in spite of the $30 cost for each roll! When Bob was a kid, they used to get them for a dollar!
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| St Mary's Church, Newport, RI |
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| Yum ... Lobster Roll! |
Day 3: Monday, September 18, Day at Sea
We always enjoy sea days … a wonderful time to relax, leisurely enjoy the various places and activities on the ship. And, of course, Princess is renowned for its Captain's champagne celebration … love it!
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| Champagne tree of glasses |
Day 4: Tuesday, September 19, Bar Harbor, Maine
We drove here a while back while on vacation in New Hampshire; but somehow the place looked entirely different. Because we had been here before, we did not take an excursion around the area. But instead simply strolled the main street, picking up a few gifts for the family … And, of course, indulging in another scrumptious lobster roll!!
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| Lobster cages |
Day 5: Wednesday, September 20, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
We took a tour of the Saint John Reversing Falls Rapids, a unique phenomenon created by the collision of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River. At low tide the river empties into the bay, causing a series of rapids. As the tide rises, the flow reverses toward the river creating rapids. The cycle is repeated every 12.5 hours. It was a rather disappointing. I should have done a bit more research and taken the Bay of Fundy tour instead!
Day 6, Thursday, September 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The tour we took this time was wonderful. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about the area and its historic value. First stop was at Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Canada's most iconic lighthouse located an hour from Halifax. It was fun walking the smooth giant rocky cove, taking pictures of the lighthouse and surrounding area, listening to the gentleman playing bagpipes, and … of course … you guessed it … having lobster rolls for lunch (can you tell we love lobster rolls?) … our last one of the trip!
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| Fishermen Rock Carving |
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| Peggy's Cove Lighthouse |
Near the entrance to the lighthouse area is a huge rock with a carving, called Fishermen Rock Carving. It is 100-feet long, sculpted by William deGarthe. He was a painter and sculptor who immigrated from Finland to Canada in 1926. After spending many summers at Peggy's Cove, he moved there in 1977 at the age of 70 and began creating this granite monument as a memorial “to the gallant men of PC, NS, who harvest our oceans.”
Upon our arrival back in Halifax, we continued on a tour around the city. There was a quick stop at St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica; but the highlight of the town was the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, founded by the English in 1749 to establish a presence in Nova Scotia to counter the French stronghold to the north. The Citadel consists of four fortifications constructed on Citadel Hill in town, which overlooks the town and the Halifax Harbour, including the Royal Navy Dockyard.
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| Changing of the Guard |
Today the Citadel is operated by Parks Canada, has been restored to its appearance when built and hosts living history programs, reenactors now portraying the78th Highland Regiment, the 78th Highlanders Pipe Band, the Third Brigade of the Royal Artillery, solders' wives and civilians. We watched the “guards,” dressed in original uniforms, formally change every hour plus a daily firing of the gun at noon. The Army Museum was a very impressive, educational and well preserved stop.
Days 7 and 8: Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22: At Sea and Disembarkment
After enjoying a presentation by some of the chefs on board, we were able to tour the kitchen. Those chefs certainly know how to create food art! It was cool and raining as we came back to New York Saturday morning, disembarked the ship, another hour bus ride back to the airport, long TSA lines and the flight back home. Cruising is awesome; meandering through new places is exciting and educational, but coming home to family is always the best! We are truly Blessed.
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| Flower from my hibiscus plan after we returned home! |
